If you’re looking for a versatile, low-maintenance groundcover for your garden, look no further than Sedum spathulifolium ‘Capo Blanco’. This cultivar of the Sedum spathulifolium species, which is native to the Pacific Northwest, is known for its brilliant silvery leaves and clusters of tiny yellow flowers. In addition to being a great choice for use as a groundcover, pathway accent, or in rock gardens, ‘Capo Blanco’ is also an excellent choice for mixed succulent containers.
Characteristics
One of the key features of Sedum spathulifolium ‘Capo Blanco’ is its glossy, fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. These leaves are typically 1-2 cm long and 4-6 mm wide, and are green to blue-green in color. In cool temperatures, the foliage turns a beautiful red-bronze, providing seasonal interest. In late spring or early summer, the plant produces small, star-shaped yellow flowers that contrast nicely with the foliage. And, even better, it is evergreen.
Growing Requirements
This Sedum thrives in well-draining soil and full sun to light shade exposure. While it can tolerate poor soil conditions, it prefers lean, sandy, or rocky soils and should be avoided in wet or poorly drained sites. It is a great choice for rock gardens, green roofs, and xeriscape gardens. To establish a strong root system, it is important to water deeply and regularly during the first growing season, and then reduce frequency once it is established. This Sedum can be propagated by stem cuttings or division, and can also be grown from seed, but the seedlings will not come true to the parent plant.
Care and Maintenance
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Capo Blanco’ is a low-maintenance groundcover that is easy to grow. It can be fertilized once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer and will not require frequent watering once established. It is cold hardy, can survive in hardiness zones 5-8. To control its spread, it can be trimmed to shape in early spring or late summer. Additionally, the blooms and foliage are a food source for the brown elfin butterfly and other insects.
Definitely check out: How to Water Succulents So They Don’t Die
Edibility
The foliage of this Sedum is considered to be edible and can be eaten raw or used as a unique addition to soups or stir-fries, but use caution as high consumption may cause stomach upset.
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In conclusion, Sedum spathulifolium ‘Capo Blanco’ is a versatile and low-maintenance groundcover that is perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, and xeriscape gardens. Its brilliant silvery leaves, clusters of yellow flowers, and attractive purplish tinge in cool weather provide year-round interest. Its tolerance for drought, poor soil conditions, and being edible make it an ideal choice for gardeners with busy schedules or limited resources. Its high resistance to pests and diseases, in addition to its use as a food source for insects, make it a great addition to any easy-care garden.
Quick question: Should you mist succulents? Find that answer here.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco' Care Guide
Growing Season:
Winter
Dormant Season:
Summer
- Hardy to USDA Zone: 6a
- Size: Up to 5" tall, low, creeping groundcover
- Foliage: Powdery silvery green with red undertones
- Flower: Yellow
- Propagation: Stem cuttings, leaves, seed
- Light: Full Sun
- Water: Drench & Dry
- Soil: Gritty, mostly inorganic, quickly draining
- Origin: Coastal Western Canada and Coastal Western USA
About Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco'
This neat little sedum has powdery silver rosettes and creeps low along the ground. It is considered a hardy sedum and will survive freezing temperatures down to USDA Zone 6a!
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’ propagates easily by stem cuttings taken during its growing season. It blooms yellow flowers between May and July.
Sedum spathulifolium is an excellent ground cover, pot filler and perfect for fairy gardens!
General Guide to Sedum Care
What are the different types of Sedum?
Soft Sedum vs Hardy Stonecrop Sedum
Soft Sedum are tropical varieties that are not frost-hardy and must be protected from cold temperatures. They are known for their easy, drought-tolerant growth and can display bold and soft pastel colors. These vertical-growing, stemmed varieties can range in height from 3.0″ to over a foot. As they grow, they tend to form a loose rosette, a dense mat of ground cover, or a trailing cascade, depending on the variety. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum, on the other hand, are a staple of hardy succulent groundcovers. They will withstand drought, deep freezes, poor soil, full sun, and high temperatures and still reward with stunning colors and blooms. These varieties are groundcover species that stay under 6.0″, but taller S. telephium can grow up to 2 feet. They spread easily and will fill the available space with a lush, undulating carpet that is easy to maintain once it reaches the desired extent.What does Sedum look like?
Colors, Foliage and Flowers
Sedum colors can be bold and bright or soft and pastel, and they gain vibrancy with added sunlight. Soft Sedum have possible leaf shapes including pine needles, jelly beans, and a classic rosette. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum have colorful, fleshy leaves that store water for up to three months of drought. Flowers of soft Sedum are star-shaped blooms tend to appear in early summer in shades of white, pink, or yellow. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum have profuse blooms of pink, white, or yellow that appear in the growing seasons.How do I care for Sedum?
Light, Soil, Water and Hardiness
When it comes to care, Soft Sedum need as much sunlight as they can get and should be near bright windows. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum are better suited to full-sun than other hardy succulents and also do well in partial sun and certain varieties tolerate bright shade. For soil, Soft Tracy Hackbarth keep going Sedum prefer a sandy, well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum prefer a gritty, well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Soft Sedum can survive months of drought but will rot easily if over-watered. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum, young plants will need supplemental water to establish roots, but in many regions a thick mat of mature Sedum needs only rainfall. Soft Sedum are not frost hardy and are limited to zones 9 and 10 for year-round, outdoor growth. Hardy Stonecrop Sedum are nearly all frost hardy down to -20F and can be grown in a wide range of climates.Why choose Sedum for your garden or home?
Versatility and Low-Maintenance
In summary, Sedum is a versatile, easy-to-grow plant that can thrive in a variety of conditions. They are perfect for garden beds, walkways, containers, hanging pots, green roofs, living walls, and much more. With proper care, they will reward with stunning colors and blooms. Whether you’re looking for a tropical variety to add some color to your home or a hardy groundcover to add some interest to your garden, Sedum is a great option to consider. So, if you’re looking to add a succulent to your garden or home, Sedum is definitely worth considering. With its wide range of colors, forms and hardiness, it offers something for everyone. Just make sure to give it the right amount of sunlight, soil and water and you will be rewarded with a beautiful and low-maintenance plant.The key to sedum succulent care is leaving them alone. Seriously. Few succulents require less attention than sedum. They are a diverse genus native to higher elevations and thrive in rocky, mountainous environments where many other plants would die. Many sedum species are referred to as stonecrop because they appear to grow right out of the rocks.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco' Growing Season
Their active growing season is in the cooler spring and fall months so be sure to water them regularly during this time. When they are dormant in the summer, don’t be surprised if they generally look kinda shabby or are more sensitive to excessive heat.
Propagating Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco'
Sedums propagate freely by fallen leaves as well as by seeds and stem cuttings. They spread quickly on the ground, so they make covering slopes a breeze. Sedums typically have shallow root systems and grow best when crowded in groups. The best time to propagate sedum stem cuttings is after they have flowered.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco' Care Indoors
If you are growing your sedum indoors in containers, be sure to give them as much sun as possible by placing them near a sunny window or under grow lights to prevent them from stretching. Most types of sedum can handle some shade, but do need lots of light.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco' Cold Hardiness
Sedum are some of the hardiest succulents there are. Many sedum varieties can survive temps down to -10°F (USDA Zone 6) although they’d do best if kept in a frost free environment.
Best Soil for Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco'
Sedum succulents thrive in gritty, inorganic soil mixes. The more grit, the better when it comes to sedum as their natural habitat is on rocky ledges in the mountains. Never let the soil your sedum is planted in become waterlogged and make sure your pots always have a drainage hole so you can properly water using the drench and dry method. See the Guide to Soil for Succulents for more information about the different amendments that people use for their succulents and where you can buy them.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco' Fertilizer
They seriously are low maintenance and don’t like strong fertilizers. If you do fertilize them, do it while they are healthy, actively growing and dilute dilute dilute! Also be sure you choose a fertilizer which is low in nitrogen. Make sure to thoroughly water your sedum after you fertilize because they are susceptible to burning.
How to Water Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco'
They can go longer between waterings than other succulent varieties as they store lots of moisture in their fat leaves. Make sure your pots have a drainage hole so that you can use the drench and dry method of watering. Avoid getting water on the leaves especially in humid areas because any trapped water can cause rot to occur. Sedum can be particularly susceptible to root rot when left in wet, soggy soil so make sure they are well ventilated and in gritty soil, especially in humid areas.
Do sedum succulents like sun or shade?
They aren’t very heat tolerant, but love the sun and need at least 6 hours of it every day. If you’re in a particularly hot area, protect them from the harsh rays of the sun during the hottest part of the day. They do need lots of light in order to maintain their colorful leaves. They will turn green if kept in low light. Keep them in the brightest light possible to avoid stretching as when they stretch out, or etiolate, they become weaker and susceptible to pests and disease. Do not expose your sedum to the sun abruptly. Doing so can cause irreversible sunburn. Slowly acclimate it over the course of a week or two.
If you’re growing sedum indoors, be sure to provide it with lots of ventilation because stagnant air leads to a buildup of harmful bacteria and fungus which can lead to rot. A fan and open shelving would be helpful here.
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco' Problems & Pests
They are prone to aphids, slugs and snails. Fungus gnats are also a pest that hampers sedum and is a sign that your soil is too damp.
Origin of the Name
Sedum comes from the Latin word “sedeo” which means “to sit.” This is a fitting name because sedum are fantastic ground covers and trail over rocks and walls.
Sedum Shape
Sedum comes in a huge variety of forms including long trailing types like Burro’s Tail or creeping ground cover like sedum spurium. Sedum dendroideum is even tree-like and grows upright. Their leaves range from thick and fleshy to small and thin. Their flowers generally have five petals and the are known to attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Do sedum die after flowering?
No, sedum are not monocarpic succulents. See my guide to identifying death blooms.
Fun Fact
Today, sedum succulents are being used as “green roofs” and are planted on top of buildings to provide insulation, a habitat for wildlife, and to lower urban air temperatures. They also reduce stormwater runoff.
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